Gov’t decision strips Palestinians of their East J’lem property
The Sharon government implemented the Absentee Property Law in East Jerusalem last July, contrary to Israeli government policy, since Israeli law was extended to East Jerusalem after the Six Day War.
The law means that thousands of Palestinians who live in the West Bank will lose ownership of their property in East Jerusalem.
Government officials estimate the assets total thousands of dunam, while other estimates say they could add up to half of all East Jerusalem property.
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Source: Meron Rappaport, Haaretz Correspondent, haaretz.com/hasen/spages/529510.html, /hasen/objects/pages/PrintArticleEn.jhtml?itemNo=529510
Webmaster note: The Absentees’ Property Law, enacted in 1950, allows the Israeli government to confiscate properties owned by Palestinians who left their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This law defines “absentees” as individuals who were legal owners of property in Israel but left for various reasons, including fleeing conflict.
Key Provisions
- Definition of Absentee: The law classifies anyone who left their property between November 29, 1947, and the law’s enactment as an absentee. This includes Palestinians who may have remained within Israel but were displaced.
- Custodian of Absentees’ Property: The law established a Custodian to manage and control the properties deemed absentee. This Custodian has the authority to oversee legal proceedings regarding these properties.
Impact on Palestinian Property Rights
- Confiscation of Properties: The law has been used to expropriate thousands of properties, primarily in areas that became part of Israel after the 1948 war. Many of these properties have been transferred to Jewish settlers.
- Legal Challenges: Palestinians, including those who are citizens of Israel, are often unable to reclaim their properties due to the law’s stipulations, which label them as absentees regardless of their current residency status.